WATCH: A B.C. organization brought the proclamation to council as a way to raise awareness that blasphemy is a criminal offence under Canada’s criminal code. Monica Martinez reports.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian is a religious satire that was controversial for its time, drawing accusations of blasphemy.
In 1980, an Anglican vicar laid a blasphemous libel charge after an Ontario theatre showed the film.
That was the last time that law was used but it still remains part of Canada’s criminal code carrying a maximum punishment of two years in prison.
Ian Bushfield leads the B.C. Humanist Association, an atheist and agnostic group.
“We are very concerned about the state of blasphemy laws around the world,” he said.
He wants the federal government to repeal the blasphemy law, and to raise awareness, he introduced a proclamation to Victoria City Council to make September 30th, this Friday, International Blasphemy Rights Day.
“This is a big opportunity for Canada to stand up for freedom of speech. I don’t think right now there’s a risk of anyone being charged under the blasphemy law but it’s still in the books.”
Two city councillors voted against creating International Blasphemy Rights Day, the rest voted in favour.
“You should be able to be subject to free thought and express your opinions that may offend others but as long as you do it thoughtfully, carefully and in a non-threatening way that’s ok,” said councillor Chris Coleman who voted in favour.
Councillor Geoff Young has no opinion about it one way or the other but said council has been spending way too much time on issues that are not relevant to Victoria.
“We have a lot of issues of significance to the people of this city to deal with. I think that’s where we should be putting the energy of ourselves and our staff and not be dealing with obscure criminal code provisions,” Young said.
Bushfield has 5,000 signatures for his petition that will be tabled in parliament next month, and will use Victoria’s International Blasphemy Rights Day to draw more attention to the issue.
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